Saddle Up and Sing Out Loud

Last week on the Cape, I took a break from the drinks and giggles and went for a run while the rest of the house was napping or watching a movie.

On my way back, one of my favorites on the playlist rolled around: the Glee version of Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie.” I have a tricky vocal range, but Amy fits right where my voice naturally goes. I wanted to sing, but quickly shut myself down. I’m running. It’s gonna sound bad. What if the neighbors hear?

Perhaps because it was my longest run in a while, or maybe it was the realization that running into someone I knew was unlikely in Harwich, MA, but I pushed the self-consciousness away and belted Amy (well, Naya) into the neighborhood. I’m sure a few of the neighbors doing yardwork heard. And I’m sure it sounded horrible, for what sounds good when you can barely breathe? But it felt good. It felt good to just let go of what was worrying me, and what people were going to think, and do what felt right.

I want to do more of that. Not do what my mind can normally talk me out of, or what people expect of me, but what feels right. The birthday week seems like as good a time as any to take a few risks…join me, won’t you?